Craft Stunning Cocktail Recipes with Dehydrated Citrus Wheels
Have you tried a drink with a dehydrated citrus wheel? These cocktail garnishes have been a popular choice to add a visual appeal and a burst of flavour to drinks. Unlike fresh fruits, dehydrated citrus may not bring in the same aroma to the drinks. However, they still carry their unique essence and flavour which will surely elevate your drinks. They are simple but exquisite cocktail garnishes that you can easily make at home. If you are a home bartender, then this will definitely come in handy for you.
Dehydrated Citrus Wheels - Mini Guide For Home Bartenders
Combining aesthetics and taste, dehydrated citrus wheels are delightful additions to your cocktail presentation. They offer a touch of elegance and a concentrated burst of flavour when incorporated into your drinks. If you want to take your cocktail recipes up a notch and craft stunning drinks, then you should definitely use these citrus wheels as cocktail garnishes. Bonus? Creating your dehydrated citrus wheels at home is super easy! It will surely be a rewarding experience for home bartenders.
Homemade Dehydrated Citrus Wheels
Cocktail garnishes play a huge role in the presentation of the drinks. Many bartenders worldwide have been using dehydrated citrus wheels in their drinks. This also promotes sustainability as they use every last bit of ingredient rather than waste it. So if you are interested in sustainable practices in home bars, this one is for you. Creating these cocktail garnishes at home is not a difficult task. Here’s the step-by-step guide for you to make homemade dehydrated citrus wheels.
Step 1: Choose your citrus fruit. Lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruits are a great choice. Make sure they are fresh and ripe while selecting.
Step 2: Cut your citrus fruit into thin slices. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit into thin, even slices. Typically it should be around ¼ inch thick. You can also use citrus leftovers, but make sure that they are juicy and thinly sliced.
Step 3: Remove excess moisture by patting the slices on paper towels.
Step 4: Place the citrus slices on a dehydrator tray. Make sure that they don’t overlap. In case you don’t have a dehydrator at home, you can use the oven as an alternative.
Step 5: Now it’s time to dehydrate the citrus. Depending on the size and thickness of the slices, dehydrate them until they are dry or turn crispy.
Step 6: Once dehydrated, allow the citrus wheels to cool down completely. Next, store them in an airtight container.
Using Dehydrated Citrus Wheels In Cocktail Recipes
Now that you have your dehydrated citrus wheels ready, here are a few ways you can incorporate them into your cocktail recipes.
1. Cocktail Garnish
Dehydrated citrus wheels make great cocktail garnishes. Simply place the citrus wheel on the rim of the glass or let it float on top of the drink. They will instantly elevate the appearance of your drink.
2. Cocktail Ingredient
Yes! You can use them as an ingredient as well. Use it in muddled cocktail recipes. All you have to do is crush dehydrated citrus wheels and then muddle them in the bottle of the cocktail shaker or a glass before you add other ingredients. This will release the concentrated citrus essence, adding an intense burst of flavour to the drink.
3.Infused Spirits
This is another way these citrus wheels can truly enhance the flavour of your drink. If you love DIY infusions, try this. All you have to do is choose a base spirit like vodka or gin and drop a dehydrated citrus wheel in it. Let it infuse for a few days. The dehydrated wheel will impart its essence into the liquor creating a citrus-infused base for your cocktail recipes.
4. Flavoured Ice Cubes
These ice cubes are the hottest trend in the bar scene! You can create flavoured ice cubes using these citrus wheels at home with ease. Grab an ice tray, place dehydrated citrus wheels in them and pour water over it. Freeze them and use them in your cocktail recipes. Citrus-infused ice cubes will slowly release their flavour into the drinks when they melt.
And that’s it! Citrus is one of the most widely used and essential ingredients in mixology. By incorporating dehydrated citrus wheels into your cocktail recipes, you can add a visually stunning and intensely flavourful element to your creations.
